811s Going Back, Why shouldn't I keep current receiver? (1 Viewer)

[Jim Baloga]

I don't like the 811, which is disappointing to me, but it's going back. I didn't like the sound, nor could it keep up with my old receiver (D1S) when it came time to push the speakers.

I'm going to try the H/K 520.

If the H/K doesn't work out, what are the reasons I need a new receiver? Is it for the surround technology? Digital inputs/outputs?

All your comments are appreciated!

Thanks
Jim

 

[Kevin Alexander]

Aside from your dislike of the 811S, the H/K 520 will work out.

 

[ThomasL]

Jim, not to sound analytical but I think you should ask yourself that very question before buying a new receiver. Or put another way, what made you buy the 811S as a replacement? if you don't want surround sound capabilities and are happy with your current setup, then I say keep it.

cheers,


--tom

 

[Jim Baloga]

I was purchasing a new receiver to benefit from newer/better technology. I was hoping to get better sound in music as well as better Home Theater effects.

Can someone outline how much better the new surround sound technology is than the dolby pro logic the D1S has.

Thanks
Jim

 

[ThomasL]

Jim for movies/surround sound, DD/DTS is going to be a quantum leap above DPL that your old receiver has. 5.1 discrete is definitely better than the old matrixed DPL. With that said, 2 channel cd music listening is probably not going to improve. Most of the "budget" receivers are designed for surround sound. It doesn't mean that they don't play 2 channel stereo music well. It's just that they are probably not going to do it any better than your older Pioneer which sounds like it also had a lot more power than these newer models. Maybe you could somehow keep it for 2 channel music listening and use the new one just for movies.

good luck,


--tom

 

[Paul Clarke]

Kevin is right. The 520 is a great way to hear the difference. The 811S is a nice entry level package but you need to hear something higher end, especially if you have no external amps.

 

[Geoff L]

Hi Jim

The 811S is a very good ENTRY level receiver and has just about everything one would want at an extremly afforable price! The down side, is this receiver has been said to sound week and thin, ~{especialy doing 2-channel}~.

With external amplifacation, sound can change drasticaly with the 811S.

But, being that you are not running external amps and that you obviously are not happy with the 811S, return it certainly.

The H/K sound is a major step up. Will it make you happy and compete at the level of your current Pioneer-DS doing 2-channel & the other formats, only you can make that call.

As far as the new sound formats, DD, DTS, the change is massive IMO. I liken it to going from 2-channel watching a movie, to DP the very "first time" with your current unit. The change (DD & DTS) will be noticable most certainly, and all channels being discrete allow for many options.

I feel there no question you will find the H/K much better sounding all round, but good enough for you. Thats a question only you can answer once you have the unit and played around with it for awhile.
The one thing for sure is, the H/K-520 will be noticably better than the 811S doing 2-channel using the 520's own internal amps.....

Best of luck
Geoff

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

You may want to keep the 811S and use it's preouts into your D1S to drive your mains and for 2channel material. This would not only give you a feature packed receiver that is a great value and great for HT, it would also let you keep the solid 2ch abilities of your current receiver. It also keeps you from tossing your D1S. Just a thought. I have the 811S and am extremely happy with it, although i use it for 95% HT/TV.

Also, just as DD/DTS is a giant step up from DPL, DPLII and NEO:6 are substantial steps also. If you do go w/ the HK, you'll probably notice how well Logic 7 decodes 2 channel sources into surround.

 

[StevenK]

I have owned both the 520 and the 811S. I run external amps, so it's a different scenario. Basically...I prefer the 811S for movies because of the extra features. But the 520 does sound better for music.

 

[Jim Baloga]

I'm sorry to be so lazy, what additional features does the 811 have over the 520

Thanks
Jim

 

[DonJ]

don't worry about because the 811 sucks I don't care how many features a receiver when it sounds like crap. Just stick with the H/K 520 and you'll get what you're looking for. i know my statment will pi** people off but truth is truth and pioneer straight out lies when they talk about the low to mid range products. 100/w per channel yeah right more like 20 and i'm being serious about that. i dont buy a receiver to go buy external amps to power it thats why its a receiver and not a pre/pro. sound is everything and until you get to the mid to high end elites you not going to get it with pioneer. stick with the good mid range onkyo denon h/k nad and you'll get what you're looking for.
By the way I have an H/K AVR 320 that blew away my friends 811 yes we did the comparison on my system disconnecting everything and pluging it into his.

Paradigm Monitor 9's
CC370
mini monitors
ps1000 sub
connected by monster both speaker wire and cables

the differnce is night and day with a claimed 45 watts between them.

 

[Earl Simpson]

3802

 

[Jim Baloga]

I compared the 520 and the D1S the same way, kept plugging and unplugging.

The D1S blew away the 520 for music, but the 520 is better at movies.

I might order a 47tx and see if it gives me the best of both worlds.

Jim